EPISODE 11: THE HEALING ## CHAPTER 1: THE MORNING AFTER They wake in the same bed but miles apart. The separation's aftermath lingers—raw nerves, careful movements, words spoken too quickly and regrets that came too late. Elena lies still, watching morning light paint the ceiling, aware of Dante's warmth beside her but uncertain of her welcome. "You're awake." "Yes." "You're thinking." "Yes." A long silence. "I don't know what to say." Elena's voice is small. "I spent months convincing myself I wasn't the kind of woman who runs from problems. Then I ran." "I spent months convincing myself I wasn't the kind of man who retreats into silence. Then I did." "We're quite the pair." Dante rolls toward her. His face is open in a way it rarely is—all masks stripped, all defenses lowered. "I was angry. When you accused me of lying, when you looked at me like I was another man who would hurt you—it triggered something. Old patterns. Catherine used to look at me that way before she left." "I'm not Catherine." "I know. But in that moment, I forgot. I reverted to the version of myself who expects betrayal. Who walks away before he can be left." Elena reaches out. Takes his hand. "I did the same thing. My first love—the one who broke my...